SpecialEffect News

SpecialEffect News

25 Oct 2018

How we're using the Xbox Adaptive Controller

So you’re a gamer with limited physical abilities, and you’re hoping that Microsoft's new Xbox Accessible Controller (XAC) could offer you the chance of playing some or all of the games you love on the Xbox One and Windows. But once you've got it out of its (accessible) box, how exactly can you use it to unlock your gaming potential?

In this article we’ll give you a steer by taking you through how we’re using the XAC here at SpecialEffect and flagging up some of the accessories and
techniques we’re using to bridge the gap between the player’s body and the XAC itself.

We’ve also made a bunch of videos to help. They’re peppered throughout this article and you can also find them on our YouTube channel, but
if you’re just looking for an overview of the XAC, here’s SpecialEffect Occupational Therapist Frankie to show you what it is, and what it can do.

It’s worth saying at the start that everyone’s physical abilities are different and there’s a whole range of factors to consider when creating a custom
gaming setup using assistive kit. Factors like seating, body positioning, lighting, cost, proper equipment mounting, comfort, robustness, integration
with other tech like wheelchair control - they all play a big part. Getting a really effective gaming setup often takes time, patience, specialist input and plenty of trial and error, but hopefully this article will give you an idea of where we're finding the XAC is fitting into the mix.

What is the XAC?

Microsoft describe it as a hub for devices that helps make gaming more accessible. So if you can use assistive tech like a head-controlled switch,
a sip-puff switch, a foot switch or a chin-controlled joystick, you may be able to plug it into the XAC and configure it to control your Xbox One
or Windows 10.

The XAC itself has two large buttons (corresponding to the A and B buttons by default) on the top that can be remapped to any of your controller buttons,
triggers, bumpers or joystick directions. It also has a D-Pad, and Menu, View and Switch Profile buttons. You can plug accessible buttons
and sticks into the sockets on the back and the sides.

There’s been other great kit around for years that we’ve used (and continue to use) that works in a similar way to the XAC to let you create bespoke
control setups, but the XAC is the first time a first party manufacturer has taken on the challenge. The result is a well-designed product that
offers options such as wireless connection and first party support, and we’re excited to be using it.

Above: The Xbox Adaptive Controller with its two large buttons, D-Pad, Menu, View and Profile buttons. Here we've plugged in five switches to act as various controller buttons alongside a joystick.

Accessibility switches

We use accessibility switches or buttons to give people access to the equivalent joystick, button, bumper and trigger functions that you’d find on
a standard controller. The size, type and position of each switch we use is carefully matched to suit the individual's movement and ability. As
well as straightforward button switches you can get mouth-activated switches, foot switches, wobble switches, muscle-twitch switches, headrest
switches, cushion switches... it's a long list, but generally speaking if a switch has a 3.5mm jack plug at the end of the lead, it should be compatible
with the XAC.

Here are three switches we regularly use ourselves, although a web search will turn up alternatives to consider.

Left to right: An Atec Ultra Light HD velcroed to a controller to replicate a bumper button, an AbleNet Specs Switch being fixed to a mounting arm, an AbleNet Buddy Button on a velcro-covered Maxess Switch Tray.

The Atec Ultra Light switch needs a relatively low amount
of pressure to activate it so it’s useful if you have weak or limited movement in, say, a finger. The AbleNet Specs Switch offers a larger target area and requires more force to trigger it, so it’s useful for placing around the body as a knee or head switch, for example.
The AbleNet Buddy Button requires a similar amount of force but it’s bigger, and we might
use it as a hand switch for people with reduced motor control, for example.

Here's Frankie again, explaining how we use switches with the XAC:

Remapping with the XAC

You can increase the number of things you can do with your switches by remapping them through the Xbox Accessories App, either on Xbox One or Windows.
This lets you use the switches for extra functions such as joystick directions which aren’t assigned by default, or use a switch like a shift key
so you can double-up on the functions of others.

If you need your switches to do different things in different games, you can create up to three mapping profiles, which you can quickly change using
the Profile button on the top of the XAC. Here’s how:

Using joysticks with the XAC

The XAC has a USB socket on either side to take compatible assistive tech joysticks for the left and right stick controls respectively. We use a huge
range of joysticks to match a range of physical abilities, but one we’re currently using most frequently with the XAC is the UltraStik analogue joystick. It’s useful for people who benefit from using a larger joystick and there's an option to buy it without the case and house it
yourself.

Here's SpecialEffect Occupational Therapist Joe explaining how you could use the UltraStik in games like Sea of Thieves and Forza.

Another USB joystick we’ve started exploring is the 3D Rudder, a board you can use with your feet. To move
a character forward you’d tilt the board forwards. To move left, tilt it left. Etc.

Using Copilot with the XAC

If you can use a joystick on a standard controller, you can link it to the XAC using Copilot,
and substitute the other controls with switches via the XAC. Like this (it's clip from the Profile video):

Force and Distance

Some people with limited finger strength find that even the sticks and buttons on a standard controller are too stiff to use. That’s when we’ll get
the screwdrivers out and modify controllers ourselves to create lower resistance controls. Here's some instructions on how to do this as a DIY project.
It's useful for people like Ryan,
who has muscular dystrophy.

Mounting

The most suitable switch or joystick in the world can be ineffective unless it’s placed safely and securely in the best position to use. Getting this
right means using mounts that range from beanbag lap trays to specialist mounting arms. We’ll often use Velcro to fix switches to trays and surfaces,
and for a really solid join we’ll use the heavier-duty Dual Lock.
Sometimes we’ll try Dycem, a sticky rubbery material that gives grip without glue - also
great for opening the tops of jars and bottles #lifehack.

Above: Steve with SpecialEffect Occupational Therapist Gillian using a Manfrotto VFA mounting arm to hold his Xbox Controller in firmly a position to be able to move the joystick using his chin. A Kontrol Freek joystick extension has been added for additional leverage.

To position a controller near someone’s chin we’ll most often use a Manfrotto Variable Friction Mounting Arm (VFA),
which gives good flexibility of movement and a firm lock. We’ll also use this or a Manfrotto Light Weight Arm to mount a switch close to someone’s head, chin or other part of the body such as elbow or knee. We might also use a mounting arm to position a
controller directly in someone’s hands to free up finger strength and movement.

Here's another video from SpecialEffect Therapist Frankie that digs deeper into the tools and techniques we're using to mount and position equipment:

Above: The standard controller sits on a blue Dycem Mat, accompanied by Ultra Light switches on an Ikea Byllan Tray.

The XAC itself has a number of mounting holes on its underside for compatible mounts, bringing its two large buttons into play - or to simply hold
it out of the way.

Need to know more?

As we said at the beginning, the XAC can be used in a multitude of combinations with accessibility switches and joysticks, and we've just scratched
the surface by talking about how we use it here at SpecialEffect. We’ll update this article as we try new kit with the XAC, but if your disabilities
are stopping you from enjoying your gaming, contact us and we’ll see if we can help.

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